Colleen Conrad honors former stepson Collin Gosselin following memoir release

Colleen Conrad, who was in a relationship with Jon Gosselin from 2014 to 2021, posted a series of photos of herself and Collin Gosselin on Instagram on October 23, marking the release of his memoir In the Shadow of Eight: Surviving the Reality of My Childhood. In the caption she reflected on Collin’s childhood challenges and her role in his life, noting that she “didn’t know what the years ahead would bring, but I knew I loved you and wanted you to feel safe, loved, and supported.”

Conrad described reading the memoir as an emotional experience that recalled both positive and difficult memories, adding that she was dealing with personal health issues and the end of her relationship with Jon Gosselin at the time. She wrote that the teenage boy needed her as much as she needed him, and that they helped each other through “incredibly difficult times.”

"As proud as I am of your book, I'm even prouder of the man you've become. No matter how old you get or where life takes you, I will always be your mom. I will always love you and cheer you on," Conrad wrote.

Collin responded in the comments, thanking Conrad for her support and describing her as “kind, loving, funny” and praising her for never giving up on him during his youth.

"I love you. I loved that you say you needed me too. It just shows how meant to be everything was. If I could've gone through all the hard things again I'd gladly do it, because it led me to you," he wrote.

The memoir also details Collin’s upbringing with his seven siblings and allegations of abuse by his mother, Kate Gosselin, which she has denied.